Apparatus to manually open and close a shutter-like device for tracheostomy patients to facilitate breathing

Abstract

An apparatus to manually open and close a shutter-like device for tracheostomy patients to facilitate breathing comprises a shutter box positionable over a tracheostomy opening in the neck of a patient. The shutter box has slits on the exterior face and an aperture on the interior face and a control device with a closure surface pivotable between an open position to allow passage of air through the aperture and openings and a closed position over the aperture to preclude the flow of air therethrough. Motion imparting mechanisms include a pivot pin extending through the box and control device to allow the pivoting thereof and a securement pin on the side of the pivot pin remote from the closure surface to effect the rotational movement thereof.

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows: 
     
       1. An apparatus to manually open and close a shutter device for tracheostomy patients to facilitate breathing comprising, in combination: a shutter box positionable over a tracheostomy opening in the neck of a patient, the shutter box having slits on the exterior face and a circular aperture on the interior face and a control device with a closure surface pivotable between an open position to allow passage of air through the aperture and slits and a closed position over the aperture to preclude the flow of air therethrough;   motion imparting mechanisms including a pivot pin extending through the box and control device to allow the pivoting thereof and a securement pin on the side of the pivot pin remote from the closure surface to effect rotational movement of the control device, abutment surfaces are provided to limit the extent of rotation of the control device between the open and close position;   a cable attached to the securement pin and extending through an aperture of the shutter box remote, then down a patient's arm with a coupling component for removably securing the remote end of the cable to a patient's finger, the cable having associated therewith, a tube for encasing the cable over the majority of its length; and   a plurality of removably attachable securement straps with pile type fasteners associated therewith and a tube attachment mechanism adapted to secure the tube for the cable thereadjacent whereby the tube and cable may be caused to follow a path of travel down a wearer's arm, whereby the movement of a wearer's finger with the remote end of the cable attached thereto, will urge the upper end of the cable to act against the action of the spring to open the aperture through the rotation of the control device.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus to manually open and close a shutter device for tracheostomy patients to facilitate breathing comprising: a shutter box positionable over a tracheostomy opening in the neck of a patient, the shutter box having slits on the exterior face and an aperture on the interior face and a control device with a closure surface pivotable between an open position to allow passage of air through the aperture and openings and a closed position over the aperture to preclude the flow of air therethrough; and   motion imparting mechanisms including a pivot pin extending through the box and control device to allow the pivoting thereof and a securement pin on the side of the pivot pin remote from the closure surface to effect rotational movement of the control device.   
     
     
       3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 and further including: a cable attached to the securement pin and extending through an aperture of the shutter box remote, then down a patient's arm with a coupling component for removably securing the remote end of the cable to a patient's finger, the cable having associated therewith, a tube for encasing the cable over the majority of its length.   
     
     
       4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 and further including: a plurality of removably attachable securement straps with pile type fasteners associated therewith and a tube attachment mechanism adapted to secure the tube for the cable thereadjacent whereby the tube and cable may be caused to follow a path of travel down a wearer's arm, whereby the movement of a wearer's finger with the remote end of the cable attached thereto, will urge the upper end of the cable to act against the action of the spring to open the aperture through rotation of the control device.